This Guidance sets out the process and associated standards for making a diagnosis of dementia in primary health care services, and by specialist memory assessment services.

The Guidance sets out the role of primary care in the initial assessment, diagnosis and long term management of the person with dementia. It takes account of and reflects the need for ongoing advice, support and services for the person with dementia and their carers/families, irrespective of where or when that diagnosis is made.

It sets out the standards essential to making a diagnosis, by a specialist Memory Assessment Service or within primary care.

Download Diagnosing Dementia Guidance and Standards

The Guidance has been produced by a Working Group established by the South West Dementia Partnership. It supplements the South West Dementia Partnership’s Guidance on the Commissioning of Memory Assessment Services (2010).

It is intended as guidance and source of information to inform the commissioning, redesign and delivery of services for people with dementia in primary and secondary care.

The guidance is supplemented by additional resources, including:

• Improving dementia care in primary care: 10 key steps for General Practice (South West Dementia Partnership, 2012)
• Improving diagnosis of dementia: 10 key steps for Commissioners and Clinical Commissioning Groups (South West Dementia Partnership, 2012)
• Diagnosing Dementia Guidance and Standards (South West Dementia Partnership, 2012)
• Dementia Care in Primary Care Toolkit (South West Dementia Partnership, 2012)